When Navy SEAL Mack Bedford's fellow officers are brutally killed by Iraqi insurgents using a cruel, new anti-tank Diamondhead missile, Mack avenges their murders by gunning down the then-unarmed attackers, ultimately getting himself court-martialed and kicked out of the Navy. To make matters worse, Mack then learns that the Diamondhead missiles were sold illegally by French industrialist and infamous politician Henri Foche.

Your Likes make Audible better!

Publisher's Summary

When Navy SEAL Mack Bedford's fellow officers are brutally killed by Iraqi insurgents using a cruel, new anti-tank Diamondhead missile, Mack avenges their murders by gunning down the then-unarmed attackers, ultimately getting himself court-martialed and kicked out of the Navy. To make matters worse, Mack then learns that the Diamondhead missiles were sold illegally by French industrialist and infamous politician Henri Foche. Mack believes Foche will become the next French President, and fears that his election will result in the cancellation of all navy-ship purchases from the United States, and thus protect French interests in the Diamondhead. End result: doom for Mack's hometown shipbuilding yard and the spread of international terrorism.

I have read or listened to all ten of the Robinson’s novels in the Arnold Morgan series. The last “To the Death” was a horrible close to the ten. I am sad to say that the first of the Mack Bedford series is even worse – something I never thought possible. One of the most interesting parts of Robinson’s novels was his humanization of the obstacle character. He forced you to get to know the bad guy and at some level sympathize; and then when the bad guy would slither away and ultimately get killed -- I was conflicted. Sure I wanted the bad guy to get what was coming, but there was still emotion there. The stories were complex, with many characters. So many characters that you sometimes needed to take notes and they resurfaced like old friends throughout the novels.

All of these reason for loving his works gone. Diamondhead is a flat story with very little thrill and thin non-existent conflict. I couldn’t connect with the plot and the main character never seemed to be in any bodily danger and just cut through challenges; by the three quarter mark I was begging for it to be over. There were no auxiliary characters of note, certainly none that I want to hear from ever again and the mission just made no sense and just doesn't tie my mental model of a Navy Seal. More laughable, the French bad guy Andre Fosch, was about as impotent bad guy as you can conjure – even his wife was flat and her backstory added nothing, was unresolved, and a yawner.

The narrator, Charles Leggett did not succeed in bringing any interest to the story. His voice was monotone, uninspiring and undifferentiated.

Maybe I’ll read the next just to see if Robinson got off on the wrong foot; but this is strike two Robinson. It will take me six months to recover from this poorly conceived and sloppily executed work of uninteresting fiction before I'll consider reading the next installment. If you had been a fan of Robinson, like me, skip this book and try the next – maybe it will be better; but I am not counting on it. All in all – a disaster.

Would you consider the audio edition of Diamondhead to be better than the print version?

I did not read the book. This is a large work and the Audible version was interesting, entertaining and hard to take a pause.

What did you like best about this story?

The author Patrick Robinson does spectacular character development. All to often in these types of thrillers the characters are like cardboard with no depth and simply carictures. These are living, breathing real people that come to life. The story is very interesting and the action well-paced and yes thrilling.

This is a very well written novel by a very accomplished and successful author. There are excellent details on a sniper kill, covert travel and stalking a target. This book has an excellent pace and structure that propels the listener at a fast, but not out of control pace. The plot is very creative and the action is uniquely interesting.

Which character – as performed by Charles Leggett – was your favorite?

The narrator did a fine job.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Probably my favorite audiobook yet. The reader does an awesome job with the different voices and its nearly impossible to tell that its the same person doing the narration. Gripping story and very hard to put down. It kept me wondering what was really going to happen next instead of being abe to forecast the future. Listened three times and loved it everytime

Patrick Robinson delivers a solid military thriller in Diamondhead on par with his early books. I admit that I do like this sort of thriller. But, it's not for everyone. I had grown tired of Robinson's characters, which had become somewhat stale. So, it was with some trepidation that I purchased this book. I was pleased.

Our hero is Navy SEAL Mack Bedford, who finds himself on trial for his actions after watching his comrades attacked by a banned weapon. Mack returns home to a dying son, a strained marriage, and a town in trouble. Circumstances push him to make difficult decisions. One does have to put up with a bit of political and military propaganda, as with other Robinson novels. But, that's part of the admission price.

Normally, I would give this book only three or four stars as it was solid, but not spectacular. The narration is performed wonderfully by actor Charles Leggett. He brings all the characters to life perfectly. Leggett somehow captures different accents, different attitudes, different emotions in all of the characters. His performance adds a sense of strength and intensity to this specific story that is distinct from his other narrations. The scenes really do come alive. I listen in the car and I was excited to continue the story. I am sold on Leggett as a narrator!

I am doubly disappointed. I listen to a lot of mystery/ suspense novels and I bought this book on the recommendation of Audible. I don't see how anybody who actually read or listened to this book can recommend it. The subtitle on the cover of the book says "A Novel Of Suspense" and it's good they put that there because you would not know it was a suspense novel from listening to it. The entire first half is dedicated to setting up a tedious and ridiculous backdrop that I found myself saying "Come on, already!" several times in the car.
I am 3/4 of the way through and will not listen to it any more.
The narrator is the only good thing in this book. Even though his narrative style highlights the incredibly bad writing, his accents are prettty good.

Author has no technical knowledge worth noting. The premise is faulty. The author speaks authoritatively about guns but obviously knows almost nothing. For example, he speaks of a revolver having a 'saftey' and then talks about the additional magazines for the revolver.Also, sighting a rifle in at 40 feet and then using the same cross hair setting with no adjustments at 600 yards to hit a target dead on. I have no respect for someone who doesn't at least do a little research.

What was most disappointing about Patrick Robinson’s story?

Too contrived not believable

Have you listened to any of Charles Leggett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The only redeeming quality was the narrator. The book itself is irritating in all the little things that the author gets wrong.

Any additional comments?

Just too stupid and can't believe I listened to it as long as I did. I don't normally write reviews but this one absolutely deserved this review.

About 1/4 way through this book I could not figure out why I was still listening to it. To say that it is adolescent pablum was insulting to adolescents. I hung in as long as I could 1/2 way then left and started listening to the newest Nelson DeMille to purge this nonsense from my system.

I have read a few Patrick Robinson books and have found them a simple straighforward good read - undemanding but enjoyable and ideal for holidays or long drives.
Diamondhead however is really bad - mind numbingly simple and so drawn out it could have been cut in half -
Really not up to standard and best avoided

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Robert

atherstone, warwickshire, United Kingdom

3/15/10

Overall

"Hes done it again."

It never ceases to amaze me how everytime i read a book by Patrick Robinson the ending takes me completely by surprise. The way he articulates the story and also the way that the narrator tells the story are in perfect harmony. Brilliant book excellently narrated.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

david

2/13/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Brilliant should put more books on audible"

Patrick Robinson should put more books on audible 3 books not enough the the navy seal person is brilliant narrated also very good so come on Patrick it's time

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

GregP

Chelmsford, UK

3/1/11

Overall

"A guilty pleasure"

The plot is 'Boys Own' silly, the politics jingoistic and yet it is madly compelling and enjoyable. A genuine 'guilty pleasure'.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Showing:1-4 of 4 results

There are no listener reviews for this title yet.

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Your report has been received. It will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Can't wait to hear more from this listener?

You can now follow your favorite reviewers on Audible.

When you follow another listener, we'll highlight the books they review, and even email* you a copy of any new reviews they write. You can un-follow a listener at any time to stop receiving their updates.

* If you already opted out of emails from Audible you will still get review emails by the listeners you follow.